MANILA — Alexandra Eala powered into the third round of the US Open without dropping a set, dispatching Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-1, 6-4, on Thursday (Friday in the Philippines) at Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York.
The No. 17 seed followed up her dominant opening-round victory with another commanding performance, overwhelming Oliynykova in the first set before holding off the Ukrainian’s resistance in the second to extend her deepest run yet at the year’s final Grand Slam.
Eala dictated the match with an efficient service game, winning 75 percent of her first-serve points and 73 percent of points behind her second serve.
The 21-year-old Filipina converted five of seven break-point opportunities while surrendering only two breaks in five chances.
Eala dominated the numbers, winning 59 points against Oliynykova’s 35 and taking 12 of the match’s 17 games. She held serve in seven of eight service games and strung together four consecutive games during the match.
She also fired two aces against only one double fault, while Oliynykova finished with one ace and three double faults.
After the victory, Eala paid tribute to the Filipino crowd that rallied behind her at Louis Armstrong Stadium and spoke proudly about carrying the Philippine flag on one of tennis’ biggest stages.
“I think everyone represents something in their own way. I’m Filipino. And I proudly represent that. A lot of the crowd here today is Filipino,” Eala said in a post-game interview.
“I’m sure they share in that sentiment. Like Americans or like Ukrainians like Oleksandra who played so amazingly today. I think we all represent something. Yeah, I’m proud of what I represent,” she added.
Eala has now surrendered only eight games through her first two matches at Flushing Meadows.
She opened her campaign with an equally convincing 6-1, 6-2 demolition of American qualifier Mary Stoiana before taking down Oliynykova in straight sets.
Eala entered the US Open as the No. 17 seed following a breakthrough season highlighted by her first WTA title and a climb into the world’s top 20.
Standing between Eala and a place in the fourth round is American Iva Jovic, who will be her next opponent as the Filipina attempts to push her historic US Open campaign even deeper./PN
